Margaretta opened Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division play in dramatic fashion Monday, battling until the final moment to secure a 3-2 extra-inning victory over Edison at Lions Park. With the game on the line in the bottom of the eighth inning and down to their final strike, the Polar Bears delivered when it mattered most. Junior leadoff hitter Zach Gray came through in the clutch, driving a line shot into the left-center gap that brought home two runs and sealed a walk-off win. Gray’s confidence at the plate never wavered in the high-pressure moment. After working the count, he stayed patient and capitalized on a pitch he could handle, sending his teammates into celebration as Jaxson Shearn and Robbie LaCourse crossed the plate with the winning runs. Margaretta showed resilience all game long, especially late. Trailing 1-0 entering the seventh inning, the Bears found a way to respond. With two outs and the bases loaded, LaCourse came home on a walk to Memphis McKenzie, evening the score and extending the game. Gray was a major factor throughout, not just offensively but on the mound as well. The left-hander threw five strong innings, allowing just one run while striking out six. He also reached base four times, consistently creating opportunities for the offense. In the eighth inning, Margaretta once again found itself trailing after Edison pushed across a run to take a 2-1 lead. But the Bears refused to back down. Shearn sparked the rally with a one-out walk, and LaCourse followed with a hustle infield single—diving headfirst into first base—to keep the inning alive and set the stage for Gray’s heroics. After a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, Edison opted to pitch to Gray rather than issue an intentional walk. That decision proved costly, as Gray delivered the decisive hit. Mason Kromer earned the win in relief, pitching the final three innings and helping keep the Chargers in check long enough for Margaretta’s offense to respond. Offensively, the Bears finished with six hits and showed persistence despite leaving several runners in scoring position earlier in the game. Their ability to finally capitalize in the final at-bat made the difference. Defensively and on the mound, Margaretta held its ground against a strong Edison lineup that had been scoring at a high rate to start the season. The Chargers managed just four hits on the day. The victory improves Margaretta to 3-2 on the season, with all five games decided by a single run—highlighting the team’s ability to compete in tight situations. More importantly, the win gives the Polar Bears an early edge in conference play and sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive season. Margaretta will look to carry that momentum forward as they continue their schedule this week. Edison 000 001 01 — 2 4 0 Margaretta 000 000 12 — 3 6 2 WP: Kromer. LP: Leimeister.